Dental Health Orthodontics Overview of Cephalometric X-Rays By Shawn Watson Shawn Watson is an orthodontic dental assistant and writer with over 10 years of experience working in the field of dentistry. Learn about our editorial process Shawn Watson Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Sumaya Ibraheem, DDS on November 19, 2019 linkedin Sumaya Ibraheem, DDS, is a general dentist practicing in New York, and a member of the American Dental Association and New York State Dental Association. Learn about our Medical Review Board Sumaya Ibraheem, DDS on November 19, 2019 Print A cephalometric x-ray, which is also sometimes referred to simply as a ceph, is a diagnostic radiograph used primarily for orthodontic treatment planning . A cephalometric x-ray is taken during the orthodontic records appointment. Cephalometric x-rays are also used by otolaryngologists — doctors who specialize in the treatment of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) disorders such as sleep apnea — because these x-rays provide a view of the patient's airways. Chesky_W / Getty Images The Process of a Cephalometric X-Ray The process of undergoing a cephalometric x-ray is pretty straightforward. Concentrating on the patient's profile — or side view of the head—the x-ray technician positions the patient according to specific criteria necessary when taking a cephalometric x-ray. The exposure takes approximately 10 seconds and the x-ray is developed in approximately five to six minutes. Most dental offices are equipped with the equipment necessary to take a cephalometric x-ray. Once developed, the dentist will use tracing paper, and "trace the ceph" in order to calculate how the patient's jaw and surrounding bone will be affected by orthodontic treatment, along with providing the dentist with a look into the growth pattern of the jaw and teeth. This can be used to determine potential courses of action and routes of treatment. Cephalometric x-rays may be taken intermediately throughout orthodontic treatment, although most orthodontists will only take a preliminary ceph, then a final ceph when treatment is completed. Occasionally, they will decide to take a ceph in the middle of orthodontic treatment to monitor progress. The Similarity to Panorex X-Ray Having a cephalometric x-ray taken is very similar to having a panorex x-ray taken. A panorex x-ray is a two-dimensional x-ray used in the dental field. It displays both jaws, the upper and lower, as well as the teeth, at the same time. Panorex films have several uses. They are used regularly for orthodontic assessments, diagnosis of wisdom teeth impaction, diagnosis of advanced periodontal disease, assessment of the jaw joint, as well as for detecting signs of oral cancer. During a panorex x-ray, the patient is asked to bite directly down on a specialized tool that works to assist the operator in positioning the head of the patient in the right position. The patient is also asked to remain extremely still during the x-ray. Once the x-ray is taken, it is displayed digitally on a computer monitor, or it is processed onto regular x-ray film, which is the traditional approach. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Wang CW, Huang CT, Hsieh MC, et al. Evaluation and Comparison of Anatomical Landmark Detection Methods for Cephalometric X-Ray Images: A Grand Challenge. IEEE Trans Med Imaging. 2015;34(9):1890-900. doi:10.1109/TMI.2015.2412951